01 · Color fidelity

Understanding CRI & TLCI

CRI is the most quoted number on a spec sheet and the least understood. Here is what it measures, where it misleads, and the figure to hold a supplier to.

CRI (Color Rendering Index) measures how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of objects, on a 0–100 scale relative to daylight.

For residential and commercial spec work, 90+ CRI is the floor. For galleries, retail, and any space where color accuracy is critical (skin tones, fabric, food, art), insist on 95+ CRI with an R9 value above 50 — R9 specifically measures saturated reds, the color most often missing from cheap LED.

TLCI (Television Lighting Consistency Index) is the equivalent for video and broadcast and matters when LED strips appear on camera.

Same objects, different CRI

70 CRI

90 CRI

95 CRI

Higher CRI reveals truer saturation across reds, greens, and blues.

See 95+ CRI strips →

Questions on this topic

What CRI should I specify for residential and hospitality lighting?

For living spaces, kitchens, hospitality, and anywhere skin tones or finishes matter, specify 90+ CRI with R9 above 50. Retail and gallery lighting justifies 95+ CRI. Below 80 CRI, reds go muddy and wood and textile finishes read flat — acceptable for utility spaces such as garages and mechanical rooms, but not for occupied rooms.